From Podcasts to Protests: Examining the Influence of Podcasts and Misinformation on Contentious Political Participation

Abstract

As distrust in mainstream media rises, audiences increasingly turn toward alternative news sources. This study examines the impact of alternative non-mainstream podcast news use on contentious political participation through misinformation belief and sharing. Findings from a sample of US adults (N = 797) indicate that alternative non-mainstream podcast news use is significantly associated with misinformation belief and sharing. In addition, alternative non-mainstream podcast news use is related to an increase in contentious political participation through misinformation sharing only. Ultimately, we find that political identity strength moderates the relationship between alternative non-mainstream podcast news use and contentious political participation only through misinformation belief.